The Palms was solemn after news of Rain nightclub's Friday night resident DJ, DJ AM, had died.
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Rain nightclub tribute to Dj AM
Rain nightclub went quiet last night as it said goodbye to one of its own.
Though the club has an extensive (and very expensive) sound and light system, the Palms nightspot turned it all down yesterday to observe a moment of silence for DJ AM.
The club’s Friday night resident DJ, Adam Goldstein, was found dead in his Manhattan apartment yesterday.
News of the 36-year-old’s death shook the DJ and entertainment community.
“Today is a sad day in the nightlife community, and an especially somber time for DJs across the world,” Goldstein’s friend and opening DJ act, DJ R.O.B., said last night.
R.O.B, whose real name is Robert Hathcock, filled in for his friend and former colleague last night.
Goldstein usually assumed his position behind the turntables just after midnight on Fridays, which is when Hathcock led a tribute to the fallen DJ last night.
“AM Fridays” began this spring, after Goldstein and his hip-hop mash-ups moved from Pure at Caesars Palace to the Palms on April 24.
The club’s lights went down, the music was turned off and Rain’s dancefloor stood still as clubgoers observed a moment of silence in honor of Goldstein just after 12 a.m. this morning.
For 60 seconds, almost everyone in what’s usually a loud and noisy nightclub stood and faced the DJ booth without saying a word. The exceptions were one Southern-sounding young woman, who shouted, “It’s my birthday!” at one point, and a few subsequent demands of “Respect!” and “Respect our boy, AM!”
Hathcock said Rain didn’t just lose a DJ when Goldstein died; the club lost a member their family.
“He was not only our resident DJ at Rain nightclub inside the Palms Casino Resort, he was also our brother in music,” the DJ said.
“I considered him a close friend, and Palms Casino Resort, The N9NE Group, and myself would like to send our condolences to his family, friends and fans,” Hathcock stated. “DJ AM, you will be dearly missed.”
He said he will remember Goldstein as a “talented” DJ who changed the musical landscape of Las Vegas.
“He has single handedly brought nightlife and DJs from around the world to another level,” Hathcock said.
As he transitioned from speech to song, Hathcock urged partiers to put their lighters, cell phones or otherwise illuminating devices into the air, effectively influencing a star-like skyskape within the confines of the 25,000-square foot club.
The DJ then played 1997’s salute to slain rapper, Notorious B.I.G., “I’ll be Missing You.”
As Puff Daddy and Faith Evans’ song played, Hathcock urged clubgoers to do what the DJ they knew as AM would want, and have a good time instead of letting his passing keep them from having fun.
The tribute came just hours after news of the Goldstein’s death in New York City made its way to Las Vegas.
Police went to the DJ’s apartment just after 5:30 p.m. yesterday after Goldstein’s friends had apparently been unable to reach him for several days.
An ardent Twitter user, the star DJ hadn’t posted anything to his page since Tuesday. Concerns about his well-being continued on Thursday after he missed his show in Costa Mesa, Calif., at Sutra Lounge.
Goldstein’s last performance was on Tuesday at Atlantic City nightclub, Dusk. Meanwhile his final Las Vegas gig was last week’s regular Friday night spot at Rain.
As DJ AM’s fans may recall, he cut his set short that night to make way for Will.i.am and a surprise performance by the Black Eyed Peas.
In addition to last night’s standing engagement as a resident at Rain, Goldstein was also expected to perform at the Palms on Tuesday -- alongside DJ Jazzy Jeff and Mixmaster Mike, no less -- as part of a MAGIC kick-off party.
As the sun set Friday night, The Palms turned its sign’s “P,” “L,” and “S” off for a brief time to allow just the “A” and “M” to light up the Las Vegas sky.
The display was the first homage to a fallen entertainment icon the resort will see this weekend.
A second tribute, which has been in the works for weeks, will honor Michael Jackson later today.
Melissa Arseniuk writes about Las Vegas entertainment and celebrity events. She can be reached at 702-948-7823 or by e-mail at [email protected].